Surgical dressing

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an improved surgical dressing which is adjustable for size and shape and which may be used as a disposable trauma, transportation, disaster or burn dressing. The surgical dressing comprises a unit of multiple layers of fluid absorbing material and a flexible, non-adhering, fluid permeable inner lining superposed congruently with the absorbent unit arranged such that the inner lining overlaps the edges of the absorbent unit. The edges of the inner lining are fastened to the absorbent unit and the multiple layers of the absorbent unit are fastened together along the plurality of preselected lines to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of the dressing by cutting.

[451 Aug. 7, 1973 SURGICAL DRESSING [76] Inventor: James F. Graham, 9760 S. Kedzie Ave., Evergreen Park, Ill.

[22] Filed: July 16, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 163,369

3,498,296 3/1970 Gallagher 128/284 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerJ. Yasko Attorney-James P. Hume, Jack C. Berenzweig et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT There is disclosed an improved surgical dressing which is adjustable for size and shape and which may be used as a disposable trauma, transportation, disaster or burn dressing. The surgical dressing comprises a unit of multiple layers of fluid absorbing material and a flexible, non-adhering, fluid permeable inner lining superposed congruently with the absorbent unit arranged such that the inner lining overlaps the edges of the absorbent unit. The edges of the inner lining are fastened to the absorbent unit and the multiple layers of the absorbent unit are fastened together along the plurality of preselected lines to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of the dressing by cutting.

22 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PMENFEM W5 3,756,686

sum 1 u r 2 FIG.! /3 I /3 NON ADHERENT LAYER l\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\v\\\\\\\\ ABSORBENT LAYERS REINFORCED ABSORBENT LAYER REINFORCED ABSORBENT LAYER-w ABSORENT LAYERS COVER LAYER (OPTIONAL) L W INVENTOR JAMES F GRAHAM PATMEB W5 3,750,686

SHEET 2 0F 2 FIG.3

NON ADHERENT LAYER ABSORBENT LAYERs REINFORCED ABSORBENT LAYER ABSORBENT LAYERS 1 .ki REINFORCED ABSORBENT LAYER Arm cOvER LAYER (OPTIONAL) ---L\ X\ v NON ADHERENT LAYER ABSORBENT LAYERs v REINFORCED ABsoRaENT LAYER ABSORBENT LAYERS a2 26 254 NON ADHERENT LAYER I- \L L I ABSORBENT LAYERS fifa REINFORCED ABSORBENT LAYER gg ABSORBENT LAYERS fl 5 fiqwjwilgw REINFORCED ABSORBENT COVER LAYER (OPTIONAL) INVENTOR JAMES E GRAHAM SURGICAL DRESSING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a surgical dressing, and more particularly to an improved surgical dressing which is adjustable for size and shape by cutting and which is suitable for use as a disposable trauma, trans portation, disaster and burn dressing. U. S. Pat. No. 3,343,537, which issued to the present applicant on Sept. 26, 1967, discloses a novel type of surgical dressing having certain unique characteristics. That dressing includes an inner or skin-side lining of light weight, non-adhering fabric, which is permeable to fluids. Fastened to the inner lining is a congruent mass of absorbent material, such as multiple layers of surgical gauze. The inner lining is fastened to the mass of gauze, in general, only about their common congruent edges. The layers of gauze themselves are stitched together at certain locations in order to provide structural strength to the mass.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,521,632, which issued to the present applicant on July 28, 1970, discloses a second novel type of surgical dressing having certain unique characteristics. That dressing includes an inner or skin-side lining of non-adhering, fluid permeable material, a middle mass of absorbent material and a water resistant outer lining. The entire structure has been fastened together as a single unit and includes a plurality of lines through the mass which are adapted to maintain the structural integrity of the mass when a severing cut is made through the dressing adjacent to one of these lines. In the preferred embodiment of this patent, these lines comprise a plurality of spaced stitch-lines. The present invention relates to an improved surgical dressing which utilizes many of the concepts previously disclosed in the above two patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved surgical dressing which utilizes a flexible, non-adhering, fluid permeable inner lining upon which is superposed a unit of fluid absorbing material. The fluid absorbing unit 24 comprises multiple layers of absorbent material such as absorbent paper or an absorbent cellulosic tissue or wadding more commonly known as a non-woven fabric. The layers of the fluid absorbing unit are fastened together along a plurality of lines wherein the lines are positioned to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of the dressing by cutting, whereby the structural integrity of the unit is maintained when the severing cut is made to the dressing adjacent to one of these lines. The edges of the inner lining overlap the edges of the absorbent unit and are fastened to the absorbent unit along at least a portion of their periphery. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of preselected lines may be made by compressing the layers of absorbent material together in such a manner that they fasten together due to the pressure, or they may alternatively be made by utilizing a glue-like substance which is made to impregnate the layers along the preselected lines.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surgical dressing which is adjustable in size and which permits the use of lower cost absorbent materials.

Another object is to provide a disposable surgical dressing which may be made entirely from paper-like materials.

A further object is the provision of a surgical dressing which requires no stitching.

Still another object is to provide a surgical dressing wherein the absorbent mass maintains its own structural integrity independent of the remainder of the dressing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a surgical dressing which may be used as a trauma, transportation, disaster and burn dressing.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a surgical dressing constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded, cross-sectional view of the surgical dressing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the dressing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like and corresponding parts through the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a surgical dressing 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The surgical dressing 10 is designed to function as a trauma, transportation, diaster and burn dressing. As will become clear below, the surgical dressing 10 may be wrapped around the trunk of the patient and may also be wrapped around any of the extremities of the patient. After being placed upon the body of the patient, the surgical dressing 10 may be cut to the proper size without destroying the structural in tegrity of the dressing.

Referring to FIG. 1, the surgical dressing 10 is generally shaped to form roughly to the contour of the human trunk and includes a lower portion 12 adapted for contact with the lower portion of the trunk and the lower extremities, and an upper portion 14 adapted for contact with the upper portion of the trunk and the shoulders. The upper portion 14 includes a pair of shoulder covering extensions 16 which define a central neck encircling area opening 18. The shoulder extension 16, when curved downwardly upon the patient toward the shoulders, defines armpit encircling portions or depressions 20. A plurality of fasteners 13 are provided to tie the surgical dressing securly to the patients body. It will be recognized that the shape of the surgical dressing 10 is very similar to the shape of the surgical dressing disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,521,632 which issued to the present applicant on July 28, 1970.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the surgical dressing 10 is of multi-layer construction and includes an inner lining 22 and an absorbent unit 24. The inner lining 22 in the preferred embodiment may be made of any suitable fabric or equivalent flexible material which is characterized by being non-adhering and fluid permeable. Many relatively lightweight fabrics have a slick finish which will satisfy these requirements, such as silk, rayon and the like. In addition, the inner lining 22 may also be made from any flexible fluid permeable material which is then coated with a non-adhering substance such as Microdon or a silicone-like material, e.g., dimethylopolysiloxane. The non-adhering characteristic of the inner lining 22 is principally intended to prevent the lining from sticking or adhering to undamaged portions of the skin and tissue surrounding the wound or burn. The fluid permeable characteristic of the inner lining 22 is intended to permit the passage therethrough of body fluids or exudate from the burn or wound which the surgical dressing I is used to cover.

The absorbent unit 24 comprises multiple layers of absorbent material 26, 28 and 30. In the preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer 26 comprises an absorbent paper-like material. As used in this application, the term paper-like material includes conventional absorbent paper or tissue and in addition also includes non-woven cellulosic materials which have the characteristic of paper and are highly absorbent. One such non-woven material is known as Kaycel and is manufactured by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. However, other companies also manufacture similar non-woven cellulosic materials. Absorbent layer 28 is similar to the absorbent layer 26 except that it includes interwoven threads or fibers in order to give it additional tensile strength and density. The absorbent layer 28 thus gives support to the absorbent unit 24. Many non-woven cellulosic materials such as Kaycel also contain interwoven re-enforcing fibers for added support structure and may also be used. Lastly, the absorbent unit 24 comprises a re-enforced absorbent layer 30. The reenforced absorbent layer 30 is utilized to supply structural support for the absorbent unit 24. The reenforced absorbent layer 30 may be manufactured from the same material as the re-enforced absorbent layer 28, or it may comprise a different material having a greater density and tensile strength than the reenforced absorbent layer 28. An optional cover layer 31 may be superposed on the absorbent layer 30. This cover layer may be water repellent and may be decorated in fancy designs in order to improve the aesthetics of the surgical dressing 10. However, it is to be emphasized that the outer cover 31 may be eliminated without destroying the utility of the surgical dressing 10.

By referring to FIG. 3 in combination with FIG. 2, the construction of the surgical dressing will become apparent. In order to form one complete unit, the inner lining 22 is adapted to overlap the edges of the absorbent layers of the unit in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The inner lining is then fastened to the reenforced absorbent layer by any suitable fastening means. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening may be accomplished by the use of a glue-like substance or may be done by compression or by steam. If the absorbent layers are all maanufactured from a paper-like material and if the non-adhering layer also comprises a paper-like material, compression of the layers is a suitable method of fastening the inner liner 22 to the absorbent unit 24. Lastly, as mentioned above, with regard to FIG. 1, the several layers of the absorbent unit 24 are fastened together along a plurality of preselected lines to permit the selective adjustment of the sizeand shape of the dressing by cutting. In the preferred embodiment, the several layers may be fastened together by compressing them together along the preselected lines. Alternatively, instead of utilizing compression, the layers may be fastened together through the use of a glue-like substance which impregnates the layers along preselected lines. This is shown schematically as numeral 32 in FIG. 3.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the importance of the preselected lines which are formed by either the glue 32 or by compression of the layers of the absorbent unit 24 will now be explained. It will be noted from FIG. 3 that the compression lines or the glue lines do not pass through the nonadherent inner layer 22. The inner lining 22 is only fastened to the absorbent layer 30. This constructional feature permits relative sliding between the inner lining 22 and the absorbent unit 24. The surgical dressing 10 includes a number of preselected lines generally designated as numeral 40 which is spaced at regular intervals. On the lower or bottom portion 12 of the surgical dressing 10 is a group of preselected lines 42 which run transversely across the dressing. The lines 42 provide means for adjustment of the length of the dressing 10. Thus, if a severing cut is made, for example, through the absorbent unit 24 between a pair of lines 42 (or along but slightly outside one of the lines 42), any selected lowermost portion of the surgical dressing 10 may be removed without disturbing the integrity of the inner lining 22, and the unit of absorbent material 24. A pair of spaced longitudinal lines 44, which are connected by the relatively short transverse lines 46, define a generally rectangular crotch portion for the surgical dressing 10. Thus, in order to commit perineal care to facilitate fitting of the surgical dressing 10 to the lower extremities, cuts can be made along the inside of the rectangular boundary defined by the lines 44 and 46, and the entire crotch portion of the surgical dressing 10 may be cut away. Alternatively, any of the transverse lines 42 might be used to form the upper boundary of the crotch portion.

The surgical dressing 10 also includes a series of spaced longitudinal lines 48 which extend from the lower neck of the dressing to the neck opening 18. Cutting along any of the lines 48 will permit complete longitudinal centering of the entire dressing, or when it is desired to expose a portion of the body for examination or treatment, only partial longitudinal cuts may be made. The surgical dressing 10 also includes a group of lines 54 which extend generally parallel to the side of the dressing. Cutting along the line 54 permits adjustment of the width of the dressing and also helps to define a large rectangular dressing if such a shape is desired. In addition, arcuate lines 56 are provided to help to enlarge the neck area 18. The surgical dressing [0 further includes a series of generally parallel lines 58 extending in oblique direction transversely across the dressing from the central longitudinal line 48. These lines may also be used to shorten the entire dressing and to provide an angular end section.

It will be apparent, that although the surgical dressing 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is of a shape suitable for a general conformity to the human trunk, almost any desired size or shape of dressing may be constructed by appropriate cutting along any of the preselected lines. For example, a dressing suitable for use in connection with a burn or wound on a small portion of one of the extremities could be made by simply cutting along one of the oblique lines 58 and one of the central longitudinal lines 48. As another example, a dressing suitable for contact with only the uppermost portion of the body might be constructed by cutting along two intersecting oblique lines 58. In addition, the surgical dressing may be utilized to completely enclose any one of the extremities of the patient by merely wrapping it around the extremities and fastening the surgical dressing 10 with the fasteners 13. Any excess dressing may be severed along one of the preselected lines 42 or 58 without destroying the structural integrity of the entire dressmg.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the invention is disclosed. FIG. 4 discloses a surgical dressing 100 which is similar to the surgical dressing 10 except that the non-adherent inner layer 22 is not adapted to overlap the edges of the absorbent unit 24. Instead, a suitable binding material 102 is utilized to fasten the inner lining 22 to the absorbent unit 24 or to the optional outer cover layer 31 along a portion of their congruent peripheries. The binding material 102 may be fastened to the non-adherent layer 22 and to the absorbent unit 24, either by glue as shown in FIG. 5, or by the use of compression or steam if the binding material as well as the non-adherent layer and the absorbent layer are manufactured from paper-like material.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention provides an improved surgical dressing which has the beneficial features of a non-adhering fluid penile able inner lining and a unit of fluid absorbent material. Through the use of appropriately placed lines fastening together the layers of the absorbentvunit 24 through compression or by the use of glue, the dressing is made adjustable for nearly any desired size or shape without destroying the structural integrity thereof. In addition the preselected lines permit any selected portion of the body which is covered thereby to be exposed for treatment or examination, again without destroying the structural integrity of the dressing. Because the absorbent unit 24 may be constructed entirely from paperlike materials, the several layers of the absorbent unit 24 may differ in structural density and strength and when fastened to the inner liner 22 may comprise a complete unit merely by fastening them together through the use of compression or steam and thus, an economical, disposable, anatomical dressing suitable for trauma, transportation, and disaster as well as burn treatments can be manufactured.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical dressing adjustable for size and shape comprising:

a unit of fluid absorbing material, said unit including an outer layer of absorbent material and multiple intermediate layers of absorbent material;

a flexible, non-adhering fluid permeable inner lining superposed congruently with said unit wherein said inner lining is adapted to overlap the edges of said unit;

first means for fastening said inner lining and said unit together along at least a portion of their congruent peripheries; and

second means for fastening said layers of said unit together along a plurality of lines wherein said layers of said unit are compressed together to fasten said layers thereby forming said lines and wherein said lines are positioned to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of said dressing by cutting, and wherein said second means is adapted to maintain the structural integrity of said unit when a severing cut is made through said dressing adjacent to one of said lines.

2. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second fastening means comprises a glue-like substance which impregnates said layers of said unit along each of said lines.

3. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer of said unit comprises a first absorbent material and said intermediate layers comprise a second absorbent material.

4. A dressing in accordance with claim 3 wherein said outer layer comprises a first paper-like material and said intermediate layers comprise a second paper-like material.

5. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer of said unit comprises a first absorbent material and said intermediate layers comprise at least one layer of a second absorbent material and at least one layer of a third absorbent material and wherein said third absorbent material has a greater tensile strength than said second absorbent material.

6. A dressing in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first absorbent material and said third absorbent material are identical.

7. A dressing in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said intermediate layers comprises a paper-like material and wherein said third absorbent material comprises a paper-like material interwoven with a supporting fiber.

8. A dressing in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer layer of said unit comprises a paper-like material interwoven with a supporting fiber.

9. A dressing in accordance with claim 8 wherein said unit and said inner lining of said unit are fastened together along at least a portion of their peripheries by compression.

10. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inner lining comprises a paper-like material which is coated with a non-adherent substance.

11. A dressing in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit.

12. A dressing in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second fastening means comprises a glue-like substance which impregnates said layers of said unit along each of said lines.

13. A dressing in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which over laps the edges of said inner lining and said unit.

14. A dressing in accordance with claim 11 wherein said unit and said inner lining are fastened together along at least a portion of their peripheries by impregnating said peripheries with a glue-like substance.

15. A surgical dressing adjustable for size and shape comprising:

a flexible, non-adhering, fluid permeable inner lining;

7 a unit of fluid absorbing material superposed congrucntly with said inner lining, said unit including multiple layers of absorbent material; means for fastening said inner lining and said unit to gether along at least a portion of their congruent peripheries; and

means for fastening said multiple layers of said unit together along a plurality of lines wherein said layers of said unit are compressed together to fasten said layers thereby forming said lines and wherein said lines are positioned to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of said dressing by cutting thereby maintaining the structural integrity of said unit when a severing cut is made through said dressing adjacent to one of said lines.

16. A dressing in accordance with claim wherein one of said multiple layers comprises a first paper-like material and wherein a second of said multiple layers comprises a second paper-like material.

17. A dressing in accordance with claim 16 wherein at least one of said multiple layers comprises paper-like material interwoven with a supporting fiber.

18. A dressing in accordance with claim 17 wherein said inner lining comprises a paper-like material coated with a non-adhering substance.

19. A dressing in accordance with claim 18 wherein said inner lining and said unit are compressed together along at least a portion of their peripheral edges thereby fastening said inner lining to said unit.

20. A dressing in accordance with claim 18 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit.

21. A dressing in accordance with claim 17 wherein said inner lining comprises silk-like material.

22. A dressing in accordance with claim 21 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit. 

1. A surgical dressing adjustable for size and shape comprising: a unit of fluid absorbing material, said unit including an outer layer of absorbent material and multiple intermediate layers of absorbent material; a flexible, non-adhering fluid permeable inner lining superposed congruently with said unit wherein said inner lining is adapted to overlap the edges of said unit; first means for fastening said inner lining and said unit together along at least a portion of their congruent peripheries; and second means for fastening said layers of said unit together along a plurality of lines wherein said layers of said unit are compressed together to fasten said layers thereby forming said lines and wherein said lines are positioned to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of said dressing by cutting, and wherein said second means is adapted to maintain the structural integrity of said unit when a severing cut is made through said dressing adjacent to one of said lines.
 2. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second fastening means comprises a glue-like substance which impregnates said layers of said unit along each of said lines.
 3. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer of said unit comprises a first absorbent material and said intermediate layers comprise a second absorbent material.
 4. A dressing in accordance with claim 3 wherein said outer layer comprises a first paper-like material and said intermediate layers comprise a second paper-like material.
 5. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer layer of said unit comprises a first absorbent material and said intermediate layers comprise at least one layer of a second absorbent material and at least one layer of a third absorbent material and wherein said third absorbent material has a greater tensile strength than said second absorbent material.
 6. A dressing in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first absorbent material and said third absorbent material are identical.
 7. A dressing in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said intermediate layers comprises a paper-like material and wherein said third absorbent material comprises a paper-like material interwoven with a supporting fiber.
 8. A dressing in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer layer of said unit comprises a paper-like material interwoven with a supporting fiber.
 9. A dressing in accordance with claim 8 wherein said unit and said inner lining of said unit are fastened together along at least a portion of their peripheries by compression.
 10. A dressing in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inner lining comprises a paper-like material which is coated with a non-adherent substance.
 11. A dressing in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit.
 12. A dressing in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second fastening means comprises a glue-like substance which impregnates said layers of said unit along each of said lines.
 13. A dressing in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit.
 14. A dressing in accordance with claim 11 wherein said unit and said inner lining are fastened together along at least a portion of their peripheries by impregnating said peripheries with a glue-like substance.
 15. A surgical dressing adjustable for size and shape comprising: a flexible, non-adhering, fluid permeable inner lining; a unit of fluid absorbing material superposed congruently with said inner lining, said unit including multiple layers of absorbent material; means for fastening said inner lining and said unit together along at least a portion of their congruent peripheries; and means for fastening said multiple layers of said unit together along a plurality of lines wherein said layers of said unit are compressed together to fasten said layers thereby forming said lines and wherein said lines are positioned to permit selective adjustment of the size and shape of said dressing by cutting thereby maintaining the structural integrity of said unit when a severing cut is made through said dressing adjacent to one of said lines.
 16. A dressing in accordance with claim 15 wherein one of said multiple layers comprises a first paper-like material and wherein a second of said multiple layers comprises a second paper-like material.
 17. A dressing in accordance with claim 16 wherein at least one of said multiple layers comprises paper-like material interwoven with a supporting fiber.
 18. A dressing in accordance with claim 17 wherein said inner lining comprises a paper-like material coated with a non-adhering substance.
 19. A dressing in accordance with claim 18 wherein said inner lining and said unit are compressed together along at least a portion of their peripheral edges thereby fastening said inner lining to said unit.
 20. A dressing in accordance with claim 18 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit.
 21. A dressing in accordance with claim 17 wherein said inner lining comprises silk-like material.
 22. A dressing in accordance with claim 21 wherein said first fastening means comprises a tape which overlaps the edges of said inner lining and said unit. 